ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION The previsions of health-care expenditure both in Europe and the United States indicate a continuous increase at least up to 2030. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the first cause of death worldwide and the main factor responsible for health-care costs in the more developed countries. The costs relating to CVDs in the European Union in the first performed economic evaluation was 169 billion euros annually (1). This situation is a cause of concern for health authorities and insurance companies who are making all efforts to identify the principal contributors to this unlimited increase in costs.
